Miata Mailing List: January 1994, Message #151
sponsored by



     


   From: a.mccombs3@genie.geis.com
Subject: Re: Miata Front Plate
   Date: Thu, 20 Jan 1994 10:48:38 -0500

Another one to Craig B. (and whoever else might be interested):  I also got
tired of the square front plate on the round nose on our Miata.  I pulled
the license plate bracket completely off the car and stowed it in the
basement.  However, the bolts for mounting the bracket are the same spacing
as the holes in the plate.  In other words, you can attach your plate
directly to the bracket mounting bolts extending downward from the upper
inside of the radiator inlet.  A little judicious curving of the plate (most
of them are just aluminum) allows the lower edge of the plate to project
downward from the (horizontal) attachment to the (vertical) plate bracket
bolts.  The plate is nicely tucked up out of harm's way, well back in the
Miata's "mouth".  Is it legal?  Damifino.  If one observes the front of the
car from a sufficient distance (50 ft. or so, maybe more), one can read the
plate, although the topmost portion is somewhat obscured.  What about
cooling problems?  I'll let you know next summer.  Around DC right now, you
could stuff down pillows in the chigger's mouth and it wouldn't overheat.
Seriously, we have had the car out in mid-50's temps. in this configuration,
with no problems in either stop and go or moderate to high speed (well,
60mph, anyway) cruising.  We'll see if it works next summer.
 
Another party in the Capitol Area Mazda Club has his plate attached below
the mouth, looking somewhat like a chin spoiler.  I don't know what he did
to the bracket to provide for such mounting.
 
Yet another innovative sort in the area removed their front plate, but
bolted it onto the car SANDWICHED UNDER THE REAR PLATE!!!  Yes, both plates
were mounted on the car that way, with the front plate in front of the back
plate (by 1/32 of an inch).  I understand he got stopped and pointed out to
the officer that yes indeedy, both plates were mounted on the car.  The
officer went away, shaking his head, I guess.  I wouldn't count on this
trick being successful every time, however; seems to me there's something
about both plates being visible.  Picky, picky, picky.
 
                                                        --Jack M.